Structure

Language features

Comment

Thesis

• State your argument or position on the issue.
• Introduce your arguments very briefly.

• general nouns eg. 'soldiers'; 'the Triumverate'

• abstract nouns eg. context; representation

• technical language or language relevant to the issue

• relating verbs eg. It is important to note; recognise; understand etc

• action verbs eg. John decides ...

• thinking verbs eg. Batty believes ...

• modal verbs

• modal adverbs

• connectives eg. 'Firstly', 'and finally ...'

• evaluative language eg. significant; important; memorable etc.

You are introducing to your reader to

• Your position on the topic
• Your plan of argument.

Your reader will expect to read each argument that you’ve referred to in the order presented in the thesis.

Argument

• Point
• Elaboration

The point is a topic sentence, introducing the argument.

The elaboration is where you use your text to support your argument. This will require close reference to the text.

Argument

• Point
• Elaboration

Try to move from one argument to another fluently with a connection. This will make your overall argument more impressive and persuasive.

Argument

• Point
• Elaboration

You can have any number of arguments but in a short space of time you can only write so much. The more arguments you give the less you will be able to write in the exposition to show you know your material and therefore persuade your reader.

Reinforcement of the thesis